Check it Out:, School Media Specialist, Tech

AASL Best Digital Tools: Diverse BookFinder

AASL released its list of Best Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning 2021! This year’s list took into special consideration how well these tools work for remote/distance students. The resources enhance learning and encourage the following qualities:

  • Innovation/Creativity
  • Active Participation
  • Collaboration
  • User-Friendly
  • Encourages Exploration
  • Information/Reference

We share these resources every year and you can explore our archive of past recommendations here.

This week we’re talking about the impressive tool Diverse BookFinder. This resource is focused on sharing BIPOC picture books, with a focus on “who” is portrayed, but also “how” they are being portrayed. Start with the article “What Does a Diverse Collection Look Like?” and try out their Collection Analysis Tool.

Grades: K-3 (target audience) but useful for all ages.


“Diverse BookFinder is a catalog of trade picture books published or distributed in the U.S. since 2002 that includes:A Unique Circulating Collection: Diverse BookFinder collects all depictions of Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) in picture books. Anyone with a library card can check these books out through Interlibrary Loan.A Search Tool: Diverse BookFinder is first-of-its-kind online, searchable database making it easier for educators to locate and explore picture books featuring BIPOC characters.A Source of Critical Data: Diverse BookFinder provides real-time data on WHO (which BIPOC characters) is depicted and — using unique book categories — HOW they are depicted in diverse picture books.A Collection Analysis Tool (CAT): Diverse BookFinder offers a free, online tool designed to help libraries diversify their picture book collections.”

Learn more about the details of this app from this article by Literary Fusions. Reading Is Fundamental has this blog post explaining more of the tools Diverse BookFinder offers. And this page from I’m Your Neighbor lists books and other resources similar to Diverse BookFinder.

Watch this one minute video explaining their Collection Analysis Tool: